Dispensing apparatus for stickers



0. E. BENNETT Feb. 7, 1933.

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR STICKERS Filed July 19, 1930 Patented Feb. 7, 1933 OLIVER. E. BENNETT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS msrnnsme APPARATUS iron srrcxnns Application filed July 19, 1930. Serial No. 469,048.

This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing stickers one by one which may be supplied in the form ofs trips of considerable length. Printed stickers are useful for many purposes such as advertising data, notices, warnings, etc., which may be attached to letters. bills, or the like. It is desirable, where stickers are used in any considerable number, to supply the stickers in flat condition for easy handling so that each sticker may be readily torn from the strip of which it is originally a part.

According to the invention a suitable re ceptacle may be provided to hold a supply of stickers, this receptacle being furnished with means whereby individual stickers may successively be torn from the strip leaving a portion of the next succeeding strip extending from the receptacle. I may also provide a larger container capable of holding a plurality of individual receptacles, so that if desired a variety of stickers may be available.

For a more complete understanding of the invention reference may be had to the description thereof which follows and to the drawing of which,

Figure 1 illustrates in net containing a of stickers.

Figure 2 Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section similar to Figure 2 showing one of the parts in a different position.

Figure 4 is a perspective a cabiplurality of individual boxes is a section on the line 2-2 of perspective view of an individual box for a package of stickers.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a similar box without its cover, but supplied with a, device for facilitating the severing of the stickers from the strip.

Figure 6 is an end elevation of a cabinet similar to Figure 1, in which the individual boxes are arranged differently.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the parts of the severing device illustrated in Fig ure 5.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cabinet shown in Figure 1, with the lid closed, and ready for use.

Referring to the drawing in detail, 10 represents a cabinet or case having a hinged cover 11 which can be swung back, as shown in the illustration, to permit the insertion or replacement of individual boxes 12, each of which may carry a strip or package of stickers. The boxes 12 are preferably made of pasteboard or the like and may be provided with a pair of metal ears 13 extending upwardly from the mid points of the side walls thereof and adapted to pass through suitable slots 14 in the top of the cover 15 which fits over the box. These ears may be bent down against the sides of the box cover, as shown in Figure 4, to keep the cover in place when the box is used as a unit for shipment of stickers through the mail. When bent up to permit the removal of the cover, the cars 13 may be left in their upright position, as shown in Figure 1, to serve as guides for the several strips. The cabinet 10 may be of such a size as to hold two rows of boxes 12, as shown, so that the stickers from the boxes may be fed outwardly from the ends of the cabinet 10. The cover 11 is preferably constructed so that when it is shut, a narrow clearance is left between the ends of the cover and the ends of the cabinet through which the stickers may readily be drawn. Thus stickers may be supplied-at both ends of the cabinet so as to be accessible to several users at once.

The stickers themselves may be provided in packages which fit snugly in the boxes 12. Each package may comprise a long strip of stickers folded back and forth with any desired number of stickers to the layer. As in the'embodiment illustrated, two stickers are in each layer. The individual stickers are defined by marginal notches in each side of the strip, which notches are connected by a scored or perforated line to facilitate severance of the stickers from the strip. The stickers are gummed on one face. The folded package of stickers, as illustrated, tends to prevent the natural tendency of gummed stickers to warp or curl. Thus the stickers are withdrawn from the cabinet in a substantially flat condition. In order to facilitate the severing of individual stickers from their strips, I may provide a lip at each end of the cabinet 10. This lip extends out? wardly from the end wall of the cabinet and is supported in place by the U-shaped portion 21 adapted to fit over the upper edge of 5 the end wall of the cabinet.

the ends of the strips projectin through the clearance between the end vwal of the cabinet and the top 11. Whenever a sticker is desired, the projectingend is grasped and pulled out until the line-of severance. is on the outer edge of the lip 20. The sticker is then readily torn off by moving the sticker downwardly so that the lip exerts a shearing action at the line of severance of the sticker. This leaves the end of the next successive sticker projecting from the cabinet. To prepare the cabinet for shipment, the lip may be removed and reversed as shown in Figure 3.

If a cabinet smaller than that shown in Figure 1 is desired, it may be made as indicated in Figure 6, the width being just sufficient to receive a box 12 lengthwise so that the stickers are discharged at the front side of the cabinet instead of at the ends. The length of the cabinet may be as desired, according to the number of boxes 12 to be contained thereby. The individual boxes 12 may be used by themselves as dispensing units without a cabinet 10. In such case the end of the cover 15 may becut or torn away, as shown in Figure 4, so as to provide a narrow opening through which the stickers may be withdrawn from the box. A lip 20 with supporting portions 21 may be mounted on the end edge of the box 12 when used individually so as to facilitate the severing of successive stickers from the strip.

Instead of providing a lip 20 in the form shown in Figure 1, either for the cabinet 10, or for an individual box 12. I may mount on each box 12 an individual lip 30 which may be swung back into the box in order to permit the cover 15 to go thereon. The li assembly may be constructed as shown in igure 7 this assembly being illustrated as composed of two parts. The supporting member 31 may be made by folding a metal blank into a U-shape, a number of prongs 32 being formed to be driven into the end wall of the box to hold the supporting element 31 firmly in place. A pair of perforated ears 33 are bent at right angles to one leg of the U-shaped supporting member, these ears being adapted to receive trunnions 34 on the lip member 30. Thus the lip may be swung outwardly on its pivotal mounting, as shown in Figure 5, in operative position for the severing of stickers from the strip. The lip may also be swung inwardly to permit the cover to be placed on the box for shipment or storage. It the boxes 12 thus equipped are supplied for the cabinet 10, the lip20 may be dispensed with;since the lips 30 on the boxes. 12 are adaptedto project outwardly beyond the 1 end walls of the cabinetso as to leave a sufficient portion of the end of each strip projecting' therefrom.

I claim: I I

1. Dispensing apparatus for stickers or the like, comprising a case having a flanged -cover, a' slight clearance being provided between the edge of the cover flange and the abutting edge of one side wall of the case for the egress of stickers, a plurality of separate boxes fitted side by side within said case, the upper edges of said boxes being substantially flush with the upper edges of the side walls of the case, guide elements projecting upwardly from sides of said boxes, sald elements terminating adjacent to the under face of the case cover when the cover is closed.

2. Dispensing apparatus for stickers or 'the like, comprising a case having a flanged cover, a slight clearance being provided between the flange portions at the ends of the cover and the top edges of the end walls of the case when the box is closed, a plurality of separately removable boxes fitted side-byside in the case, the upper edges of said boxes being substantially flush with the upper edges of the side walls of the case, a strip of stickers folded within each said box, the boxes being arranged in the case so that the strips lead to said clearance. and flexible metal ears projecting upwardly from sides of the boxesand acting as guide elements for the several strips.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

OLIVER E. BENNETT. 

